Japa’: If We All Leave, Who Will Build Nigeria, ISAAC ASABOR Asks

In the last few years, the word “Japa” has become a household term in Nigeria, symbolising the mass exodus of Nigerians seeking greener pastures abroad. This phenomenon has seen young professionals, skilled workers, and even business owners abandon the country in droves, lured by the promise of better living conditions, economic stability, and functional systems in foreign lands. But as the nation watches its brightest minds and strongest hands take flight, one fundamental question arises: If we all leave, who will build Nigeria?

The “Japa” wave is not entirely unfounded. Insecurity, inflation, job scarcity, epileptic power supply, poor healthcare, and government corruption have made Nigeria an increasingly difficult place to thrive. For many, relocating abroad offers a chance at a dignified life, one where basic amenities are guaranteed, and hard work is rewarded. But while this desire for a better life is understandable, it is imperative to ask if a mass exodus is the ultimate solution or a short-sighted escape that could be more damaging in the long run.

When people flee en masse, they often fail to consider that the nations they are running to did not magically become prosperous. These developed nations, whether the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or even the United Arab Emirates, were built through the resilience, sacrifices, and patriotism of their citizens. They invested in their economies, fought for good governance, and ensured that structures were put in place for future generations. If every citizen of these countries had abandoned their homeland in search of greener pastures, would these nations be what they are today?

Many people migrating today fail to see the full picture. The developed economies of the world did not emerge overnight. They were built over decades and even centuries of strategic planning,

industrialization, and citizen participation in governance. The roads, hospitals, schools, and systems that Nigerians admire abroad were established because the citizens of those countries committed themselves to national development. If all the pioneers of those economies had chosen to leave, who would have created the thriving societies we now see today?
Given the foregoing views, the question that is still begging for an answer in this context is “Who Will Build Nigeria?” The answer to this question cannot be farfetched as nation-building is not a spectator sport. It requires active participation from its citizens.

While it is tempting to turn our backs on Nigeria and settle in lands where the government works, we must ask ourselves who will fix the problems we are running away from. If all our doctors, engineers, academics, and entrepreneurs leave, who will be left to build the hospitals, construct the roads, or teach the next generation?

Imagine if Nigeria’s past leaders and visionaries had abandoned the ship. Would we have the infrastructure that still stands today? Would we have the universities, oil refineries (even though poorly managed), or the telecommunications industry that we still depend on? If the younger generation follows the “Japa” trend blindly, we risk leaving behind a country that may one day be too broken to salvage.

Furthermore, the concept of brain drain is a major concern. Many of our best minds, trained in Nigerian universities, are now working tirelessly in foreign hospitals, IT firms, and engineering companies. While their contributions to those countries are commendable, one must wonder what Nigeria could have been if they had been here to drive change. Nigeria cannot afford to continually export its best talents without having an equivalent or superior system to retain them. We need to find ways to make staying in Nigeria more attractive.

Without a doubt, the “Japa” craze could be retrogressive. Migration in itself is not a bad thing. Indeed, global mobility has always been a factor in human civilization. Many Nigerians who relocate contribute to the economy through remittances, and some return to invest in businesses. However, “Japa” becomes problematic when it turns into a blind stampede, where people leave without critical thinking or a long-term vision.

Not everyone who leaves Nigeria succeeds abroad. Many struggle with underemployment, racism, isolation, and a lack of fulfillment. Highly skilled professionals in Nigeria often find themselves taking up menial jobs just to survive in their new countries. The dream of success abroad is not always as straightforward as it seems, and many have faced the harsh reality that Nigeria, for all its flaws, offered them better opportunities to rise in their professions.
Moreover, the “Japa” phenomenon could have devastating effects on Nigeria’s economy. The mass departure of skilled professionals, known as brain drain, means fewer doctors to cater to our sick, fewer lecturers to educate our students, and fewer engineers to develop our infrastructure. In the end, we might find ourselves in a country where things continue to deteriorate simply because there are not enough capable hands left to sustain and improve existing structures.

Frankly put, a nation that loses its best talents to other countries is a nation that mortgages its future. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves importing skills and expertise that we once had in abundance. Imagine a Nigeria where we have to recruit foreign doctors, teachers, and engineers simply because we failed to retain our own. That would be the ultimate irony.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing views, it is germane to opine that the solution to Nigeria’s problems does not lie solely in “Japa” but in concerted efforts to fix the nation. While it is okay to seek better opportunities, it is also crucial for Nigerians to recognize their role in shaping the country’s future. If we abandon Nigeria entirely, we leave it to be ruled and ruined by those who have no vision for its growth.

Instead of focusing solely on how to escape, we must also channel energy into rebuilding. We must hold our leaders accountable, invest in businesses, develop innovative solutions, and actively participate in governance. If we must “Japa”, let it be strategic, let it be for skill acquisition, education, and exposure, with the ultimate goal of returning to contribute to national development.

There are lessons to be learned from countries like China, India, and Singapore. Decades ago, many citizens from these nations migrated abroad due to economic hardship. However, a significant number of them returned, bringing back knowledge, investments, and expertise that helped propel their countries to global prominence. Today, China and India are economic powerhouses because their people saw the importance of national development.

Without a doubt, Nigeria has immense potential, but it will take the dedication of its citizens to unlock it. We must remember that no nation is perfect. The developed countries we admire today also have their challenges, but their people stayed, fought, and built structures that continue to sustain them. If we all leave, then we must ask ourselves, “Who will build Nigeria?”

The time has come for a rethink. Nigeria is ours to fix, and we must not lose sight of that responsibility. While it is tempting to pack up and leave, the reality is that no country will ever love us as much as our own. If we fail to make Nigeria work, we may end up as wanderers in foreign lands, always looking for a home we abandoned. The true solution lies in making Nigeria a place worth staying in, so that “Japa” becomes an option rather than a necessity.